Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2024)

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (1)

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Fully loaded Korean Beef Tacos with Bulgogi steak – because I know how much you all love Asian food (as evidenced here). And just wait until you try that Sriracha-lime cremataco sauce!!

The bulgogi beef (a Korean BBQ beef) in this recipe has incredible flavor as the sauce caramelizes in the skillet, coating each delicious bite! It’s kind of like the beef you try in really good takeout places but can never recreate at home.

My cousins wife, Alla sharedthis recipe with me, saying she had discovered these fantastic Korean beef tacos in a spa with a Korean restaurant located inside – a hidden gem! Shoot, I’ve never been to a spa but if there are tacos involved – SIGN ME UP! lol. Anyway, Alla loved them so much, she recreated the recipe at home.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2)

These beef tacosare loaded with flavor! I toasted the tortillas right over my gas stove then loaded them with sweet strips of bulgogi beef, tons of crunchy purple cabbage, fresh cilantro, diced avocado and drizzled generously with a creamy Sriracha-lime crema that is over-the-top incredible. The combination is a flavor explosion and you won’t be able to stop at just one!

Did I mention this is the easiest recipe?

Ingredients for Beef Bulgogi Marinade:

4Tbsp (1/4 cup) sesame oil*
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but nice)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (press it into the cup)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cuphot water

*Sesame Oil Tip: Don’t skip this or try to replace it with any other oil. It gives the beef marvelous flavor and aroma. We used “Sun Luck” brand (found near the soy sauces in the grocery store). Be sure to buy one that says “toasted sesame oil” in the ingredient list.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (3)

Korean Beef Tacos Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb flank steak, hanger steak, top sirloin, or flat iron steak
12 to 14 Small (6-inch) flour tortillas (use corn tortillas for gluten free)
1 small Purple Cabbage
1/3 bunch cilantro leaves
1 avocado,sliced

The Best Taco Sauce:

1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Sriracha hot sauce
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, (plus lime wedges to serve if desired)

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (4)

Tacos Sauce credit: Kaylee88 on Allrecipes (we also love this on fish tacos!)

How to Make Korean Beef Tacos:

1. Thinly slice beef against the grain and place in a medium mixing bowl.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (5)

2. Stir together all marinade ingredients to dissolve sugar, pour over sliced meat and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 4hours or overnight for best results.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (6)

Cooks Tip: Let beef stand at room temp 30 minutes before cooking. If you place cold meat on a hot pan, it will cool down the pan too quickly

2. Heat a large, heavy non-stick pan over high heat. It’s hot enough when you place a piece of meat in the center and it has a strong sizzle. Addmeat and let it sauté without stirring for 2-3 minutes or until slightly browned on the bottom then stir and continue cooking additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until fully cooked, liquid has evaporated and sauce has thickened. The sugars from the sauce will caramelize onto the beef.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (7)

3. Toast tortillas on a hot dry skillet or directly on the grates of your gas stove-top, turning and flipping frequently – they cook really fast so don’t walk away.

4. Stir together all taco sauce ingredients and if desired, transfer to a ziploc bagand snip off the corner for easier drizzling. Refrigerate until ready to use.Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (8)

5. To assemble tacos, place meat over toasted tortillas and cover with generous amount of purple cabbage. Add several sprigs of cilantro, some diced avocado and drizzle the top generously with the taco sauce. You can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra freshness.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (9)

⬇ Print-Friendly for Korean Beef Tacos:

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe

4.95 from 115 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (11)

Fully loaded Korean Beef Tacos with flavorful Beef Bulgogi (a Korean BBQ beef). Don't skip the Sriracha-lime crema taco sauce which takes these over the top!

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Prep Time: 4 hours hrs

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 8 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 12 to 14 tacos

Beef Bulgogi Marinade Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but nice)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, press it into the cup
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup hot water

Korean Beef Tacos Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb flank steak
  • 12 to 14 Small, 6-inch flour tortillas (use corn tortillas for gluten free)
  • 1 small Purple Cabbage
  • 1/3 bunch cilantro leaves
  • 1 avocado, sliced

The Best Taco Sauce:

Instructions

  • Thinly slice beef against the grain and place in medium bowl.

  • Stir together all marinade ingredients until sugar dissolves, pour over sliced meat and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight for best results. Tip: Let beef stay at room temp 30 min before cooking. Chilled meat will cool a hot pan and make your meat juice out.

  • Heat a large, heavy non-stick pan on high heat (no need to add extra oil). It's hot enough when a piece of meat placed in the center has a strong sizzle. Add meat and sauté without stirring for 2-3 min or until lightly browned then stir and continue cooking additional 3-5 min, stirring occasionally or until fully cooked, liquid has evaporated and the sauce has caramelized on the beef.

  • Toast tortillas on a hot dry skillet or directly on the grates of your gas stove-top, turning frequently - they cook really fast so don't walk away.

  • Stir together all taco sauce ingredients. For easier drizzling, transfer to a ziploc bag and snip off the corner.

  • To assemble tacos, place meat over toasted tortillas and cover with generous amount of purple cabbage. Add sprigs of cilantro, diced avocado and drizzle generously with taco sauce. If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra freshness.

Notes

*Sesame oil should say "toasted sesame oil" in the ingredient list.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: Korean Beef Tacos

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Korean beef tacos are perfect for parties! You can prep most of this recipe ahead of time and everyone can build their own tacos.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (12)

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of the beef – it somehow changes flavor profile in the refrigerator after it’s cooked, developing a smoked flavor – almost like a teriyaki beef jerky and tastes amazing cold. My Dad took some leftover bulgogi beef to work and then he called to tell me how it was pretty much the best beef ever. Thanks Dad! 🙂 And thank you Alla for sharing yourKorean Beef Tacos recipe with all of us!

Natasha Kravchuk

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (13)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is best for Korean bulgogi? ›

Boneless ribeye steak is our cut of choice for this recipe and the most popular because it is tender and flavorful with nice marbling. Sirloin is also commonly used to make bulgogi and is slightly leaner that ribeye. You can also use flank steak in a pinch with good results, but the texture won't be quite as tender.

How to serve Korean beef bulgogi? ›

This recipe uses very thinly-sliced sirloin steak, so tenderization isn't necessary. It's delicious served with rice, lettuce leaves, and chile paste or kimchi.

How was bulgogi made? ›

Bulgogi generally refers to thinly sliced beef marinated in a sauce that is a mix of soy sauce, sugar or honey, sesame oil, garlic, onion, and often pureed Asian pear. Many Korean home cooks tend to marinate the beef overnight and then grill or stir-fry it with sliced onions, scallions, mushrooms, and other vegetables.

How long should you marinate bulgogi? ›

Add the thinly sliced beef, thinly sliced onions, and green onions. Mix and marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Over high heat, add a tbsp of oil to a pan. Cook the beef bulgogi in batches until the water cooks out and the beef and onions are nicely caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.

What are the three types of bulgogi? ›

There are three types of bulgogi that are typically served at restaurants today – Gwangyang-style of South Jeolla Province, Eonyang-style of South Gyeongsang Province and last but not least, the Seoul-style.

What is bulgogi paired with? ›

What To Serve With Bulgogi - 45 Side Dishes
  • Meat. • 1 portion Bulgogi pizza.
  • Produce. • 1 portion Baked potatoes. • 1 portion Bok choy.
  • Frozen. • 1 portion Kimchi fried rice.
  • Deli. • 1 portion Scallion salad.
  • Other. • 1 portion Japchae.

What makes bulgogi special? ›

Among the most common recipes of the BBQ, Bulgogi is easy to make even on home fires and is distinguished by the marinating of beef previously cut into thin slices. This process makes the meat extremely tender despite the cooking and gives it a unique taste between sweet, savoury and sour.

What side dishes go well with bulgogi? ›

Grilled vegetables are a simple and versatile side dish that can be easily paired with Bulgogi. The smoky, charred flavors of the vegetables enhance the taste of the marinated beef, while the variety of textures creates a satisfying meal. Popular choices include bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms.

What are Korean tacos called? ›

Jump to RecipeLeave a comment. Published Aug 1, 2022.

Do you eat bulgogi with rice? ›

Beef Bulgogi is Simple to Prepare and Versatile

Korean beef bulgogi takes very little time to throw together and you can serve it over rice, on top of a salad, rolled up in lettuce leaves or in my Korean Bulgogi Sandwich with Spicy Cucumbers & Cheddar.

Can you eat leftover bulgogi? ›

You can certainly enjoy your leftover bulgogi the same way you normally do, most likely with lettuce wraps, rice and some side dishes.

What is bulgogi in English? ›

Bulgogi (Korean: 불고기; American English /bʊlˈɡoʊɡiː/ buul-GOH-ghee; from Korean bul-gogi [pul. ɡo. ɡi]), literally "fire meat") is a gui (Korean-style grilled or roasted dish) made of thin, marinated slices of meat, most commonly beef, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle.

What is bulgogi sauce made of? ›

It typically consists of soy sauce, sugar, mirin (sweet rice wine), sesame oil, garlic, and green onions, along with other ingredients such as ginger, pear juice, or rice wine vinegar. The sauce is used to flavor and tenderize thinly sliced beef that is then grilled, pan-fried, or stir-fried.

What part of the body is beef bulgogi? ›

What kind of meat do you use for beef bulgogi? Bulgogi is typically made with almost paper-thin slices of the most tender cuts of beef. Rib-eye is the most common cut of beef with top sirloin coming in a close second.

Which part of beef is best for Korean BBQ? ›

If you've ever wondered what cut goes into everyone's favorite Korean BBQ beef dish of bulgogi, look no further than the sirloin steak. This often overlooked piece of beef is known more for its flavor than its texture, which makes it an excellent recipient for recipes that involve a little bit of marinade.

What kind of meat do you use for Korean BBQ? ›

Korean barbecue consists of: Sliced meat, most commonly beef, but also pork and chicken. Sauce like ssamjang (soybean paste and chili paste) and gochujang (a spicy chili paste) Lettuce or perilla leaves.

What meat do they use at Korean BBQ? ›

Galbi (beef short ribs) and Bulgogi (thinly sliced sirloin, ribeye, or brisket) are the most representative form of the meat used in Korean barbeque. In the western world, Bulgogi, meaning “fire meat,” is the most popular type of Korean barbeque you'll come across.

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